Sunday, April 8, 2012

On the Road to Lee's Ferry and Utah

THURSDAY APRIL 5 2012
DAY ONE

We are not real proud of this, but somehow we got our starting dates mixed up! We were thinking we were to begin at Zion River RV Resort on May 1st. Not so! Tuesday, our new boss, Mason, called wanting to know where we were! We were due there April 1st NOT May 1st.  Well, as things worked out, we would not have been able to make it April 1st even if we had the date right in our minds, the MotherShip was still waiting on the factory to send one last piece so the repairs could be completed on her grey tanks!  First the factory sent the wrong tanks, those had to be returned and wait for tne new ones to arrive! Finally when the new ones arrived, they were also the wrong ones but they could be adapted to fit, but it meant 2 more weeks before the factory sent the right valves. So we decided while we were waiting for parts, to get a box welded on the back of the MotherShip to carry our generator and LP gas tanks. Chuck had the generator converted to LP several years ago because we don't want to carry around gasoline!


We left T or C on Thursday, after 2 mad days of packing like crazy! We had just gotten the MotherShip back on Monday... Tuesday we got the call from Mason that we were long over due... so yesterday we left about 11am with the bed just loaded down with everything that would pile on the bed! We drove I-25N to Socorro and turned West on Highway 60... a beautiful drive through hills and mountains and small towns like Magdalina and Pie Town and slipped into Arizona about 3pm and are now camped in Springerville. Tonight we plan to be in Flagstaff, tomorrow night at Lee's Ferry and into Zion on Easter Sunday!
There won't be too many photos, I am also driving my TrailBlazer up... It costs a lot less to run around for 6 months in my TB than 6 months in Chuck's "Beastie" V-10 Ford dually! Besides...  we have sold both saddles to a place in Utah and needed the room in my SUV to carry them! The price of the saddles will more than cover the cost of extra gas used. BUT there will be photos a few sentences down taken at the beautiful Lee's Ferry on 89A in AZ,

FRIDAY APRIL 6 2012
DAY 2

We spent Thursday night in Flagstaff. Nothing exciting to report there! We stayed at the Greer RV Park on highway 89 heading out of town. We drove 3 hours north on 89, a lot of holiday traffic on that 2 lane road, but they have passing lanes every few miles so the traffic doesn't get backed up too bad!

SATURDAY APRIL 6 2012
DAY 3
After leaving Flagstaff, we followed highway 89 North until we came to the Page/Lake Powell turn-off. We took the left hand turn Highway 89A and the scenery just exploded! It was amazing! We turned right at Marble Canyon and headed down to Lee's Ferry. The campground is boondocking only and with a senior pass $6 a night! You are camped up on a bluff overlooking the Colorado River in the most amazing Canyon!

 This was at the entrance to Lee's Ferry. A lot of rafting tours take off from here headed for the Grand Canyon!
 The color of the rocks is amazing! Layers of colors!
 Chuck walking the hound Herd before we head into the park!
 There will be interesting balancing rocks along the way. Last year Chuck and I posed under this very rock with plenty of headroom to spare!

 Our campsite overlooks the Colorado River... to the right of that tree! Not bad for $6 a night! We intend to stop here on the way back when we have time to spend several days! It was a bit crowded, but not full. You must remember, this was Easter weekend!

 Sitting from the campground picnic table, we had a great unobstructed view of the canyon and the river!
Great sunset colors reflecting on the canyon walls!
 Campground at sunrise.....


 The hiking trail from the campground down to the river! To see more about Lee's Ferry... here is a link to the blog from our 2010 visit!http://www.phunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/lees-ferry-az.html
One last photo on our way out of Lee's Ferry this morning! 3 hours later we arrived in Virgin Utah at our workamping job with Zion River RV Resort.
www.ZionRiverResort.com   We will be working here for 6 months, until October!  I will get busy and take some photos of the park, but that link above will show you much of the park! 
We did notice as we passed the Grand Canyon North Rim on Highway 89A, that it is still closed for the winter. That is one steep ride up to Jacob's Lake where you turn to go into the park! But it was a beautiful ride!!! 
Well, that's it for now, just wanted you to know we arrived in Zion safe and sound!
Happy Trails!
Geri, Chuck and the Hound Herd! 

9 comments:

  1. Gee, last time I was at Lee's Ferry was over 50 years ago, doesn't look like I remember. Was leaving to take raft trip down thru Grand Canyon. Glad you made it safely. Have great adventures.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely pics. ..we loved visiting Zion!

    Janice
    facebook.com/ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing

    ReplyDelete
  3. Been to Zion Canyon a couple times & of course loved the place. Utah is probably my favorite State when it comes to big beautiful scenery. I remember being at the Grand Canyon's North Rim in 92 on opening day & it was about the middle of May sometime. Love that whole northern Arizona & Southern Utah area. Hope to be rolling through Monument Valley next October on our way to Congress Az. Enjoy your summer guys........

    ReplyDelete
  4. I bet that call from Mason was a real shock-a-roo!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lee's Ferry is one of my very favorite places to camp! Emily, I took the short version of the river trip and loved it! Thanks Janice, this is amazing country to explore this summer!Al, We will be headed to Monument Valley also in Oct., to pick up my silver and turquoise bracelet Emanuel Grey, a Navajo silversmith, has repaired for me! From there, back down to Lake Powell, then back to Lee's Ferry for a few days!!! Maybe we could meet up a day or two ?? And yes Emma, Mason's call was a shock-a-roo! We thought we had 10 days to pack and a leisurely trip up here! Instead we were on the road in 2 days after her call!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful picture, Geri. Glad you had a safe trip.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for the pics of Lee's Ferry. I was just looking at that on the map the other night as I was pondering a quick trip to Zion and it looked like a great stop. Ah well, weather is not cooperating later this week, so Zion and Lee's Ferry will have to wait for another time. Enjoy your workcamping gig-- sure sounds like an amazing place to spend 6 months!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Bill and Ann, sorry we didn't make a connection before we left! Lynne, not sure where you are coming from but the weather from Flagstaff to Lee's Ferry to here in Zion has been wonderful! Sunny, warm, slight breezes.... 82 here yesterday! Please don't miss Lee's Ferry! I actually think we liked it better than Lake Powell!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello, Geri and Chuck!

    I eventually do get around to reading other people's blogs . . . the photos are absolutely stunning. No wonder you love that place so much. I'll be there before long. I know you must be excited about your workcamping assignments and getting settled into that beautiful RV resort. I watched the video at their website ... very upscale! Have fun learning and seeing new things. Love you!

    Sue

    ReplyDelete

Leave us a message!!! We would love to hear from you!!!